My Understandings [ON HOLD/EDITING]

My Understandings: Part 22

-Edith's P.O.V.-

It's been three days since all my friends went missing. It's also been three days of worry, fear, and lots of searching. The police say that they're going to look for them as much as they can but I can tell it's a load of bullshit. Alan, Austin, and I have looked almost everywhere, it's hopeless. It's all my fault...

I lay in my bed at Alan's house and stare at the ceiling with a blank mind. Where could they be? Is it worth it to search or are they already dead? I should be the one who's dead, I deserve it the most. I look over at the clock and realize it's already 2:30AM. I grab my phone and look at the last text I got. I told Austin I didn't know if I'd be able to sleep, and if I couldn't he told me I should text him. I guess it's worth a shot. 

I can't sleep. If I woke you up go back to sleep, I don't want to bother you.

I hit send and roll over to face the window next to my bed. I look out at the woods in Alan's backyard, most of this town is surrounded by trees and lakes. I see someone walking out in the woods and a sigh out of frustration. These people have been following me everywhere lately, they never try and get me, they just watch me. I pull down my shade and roll over on my other side. My phone starts to vibrate and I'm expecting a text. I pick up my phone and realize Austin is calling me.

"Um... Hello?" I answer, confused.

"Can you really not sleep?" His voice is lower than usual, I can just hear how sleepy he is and I feel terrible.

"Yeah but it doesn't matter. You can go back to sleep if you want." I say quickly. I don't want to keep him awake. He laughs and takes a deep breath.

"Do you want me to come pick you up? We can just go drive around." He offers. My heart starts pounding, I haven't been alone with him since we kissed.

"Uh. I-I" I stutter. He cuts me off.

"I'll be on my way soon. Be ready." He says. The line goes silent and I set down my phone. I slowly climb out of bed and grab a sweatshirt from the closet. I guess I'm going to hang out with Austin.

I never expected to be friends with Austin or for anything to happen between us. We weren't even close until this summer and it surprised me. He never showed any interest in me, up until summer the most physical contact we had was an awkward hand touch when I dropped my pencil once. 

I walk into the bathroom and comb out my hair so I don't look like a crack addict when he shows up. Now time for the hardest part, getting out of the house without anyone noticing. I wasn't worried about Alan's parents, they sleep like rocks. But Alan is the lightest sleeper I know. I tip toe past his parents room and down the hall. I make my way to the staircase and peek into Alan's room, he's asleep. I take another step and the floor creaks louder than I've ever heard before.

I jerk my head over to make sure Alan didn't wake up. He rolls over and groans and my heart starts to beat fast. Shit. He lays still for what seems like hours as I'm frozen in place. I quick tiptoe down the stairs and look through the front window, waiting for Austin.

No matter what I do, I won't be able to sleep, so I might as well just go drive around. I can't shake the thought of my friends being dead out of my mind. It claws at my mind and gives me anxiety. I look out to see Austin's car turn onto Alan's street and I quietly slip out the door. I run to the end of the driveway and wait for Austin to pull up. He stops in front of the house and motions for me to hop in the car. I open the door to the passenger seat and hop in. Austin begins to drive.

"So you couldn't sleep huh?" He asks. I look to the ground.

"Not since everyone went missing..." I mumble. I can feel Austin looking over at me and I can't help but turn away.